Biological hazards in Australian workplaces: findings and policy implications of a survey of Australian workers’ exposures to biological hazards

Introduction
Despite a worldwide estimate of 320 000 deaths annually due to communicable diseases caused by work-related exposures to biological hazards, very little is known about exposure to biological hazards in an Australian workforce context. This lack of information is even more remarkable when one considers the magnitude of impact on workers and society of non-fatal illnesses and conditions resulting from biological hazard exposures in workplaces. The lack of data associated with employment characteristics is probably, in part, an artefact of communicable diseases traditionally being considered within the domain of public health rather than work health and safety. To combat this a national survey of Australian workers’ exposures to biological hazards was undertaken.

Methods
The National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance (NHEWS) survey asked 4500 Australian workers whether they were exposed to biological hazards and if so, about the types and duration of exposure and about the provision of controls for these hazards in their workplaces. The survey also collected detailed demographic and employment information from each respondent, which enabled broad identification of groups of workers with high exposure and low control provision.

Results
Nineteen percent of workers surveyed reported exposure to biological hazards. The majority were exposed to human bodily matter or live animals and/or their products. Comparison of the NHEWS findings with other studies suggests some types of biological hazards were underreported. This may indicate a lack of awareness of biological hazards in workplaces. Compared to workers exposed to human bodily matter, control provision for workers in contact with animals or their products, was relatively poor.

Discussion
The NHEWS survey findings highlight key knowledge gaps and areas where work health and safety policy and guidelines require development. These will be discussed alongside efforts being made to improve the state of knowledge about biological hazards in the workplace.